FabDigitFabDigit

Steel 4J42 vs K93050

Steel · grade comparison

Steel 4J42 and K93050 are both steel grades. Both yield at about 285 MPa — strength does not separate them. K93050 is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 35% for 4J42, and 4J42 is harder (145 HB vs 135 HB). 4J42 runs hotter in service (400°C vs 230°C continuous) and 4J42 conducts heat better (12.6 W/m·K vs 10.5 W/m·K).

4J42Choose it when the part sees heat.

K93050Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

4J42 vs K93050: properties

4J42K93050

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

145 GPa21 Msi
141 GPa20.5 Msi

Shear Modulus

57 GPa8.3 Msi
55 GPa8 Msi

Bulk Modulus

106 GPa15.4 Msi
112 GPa16.2 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.28
0.29

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

510 MPa74 ksi
490 MPa71.1 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

285 MPa41.3 ksi
280 MPa40.6 ksi

Elongation at Break

35%
40%

Reduction in Area

60%
70%

Shear Strength

320 MPa46.4 ksi
340 MPa49.3 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

250 MPa36.3 ksi
260 MPa37.7 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

120 J88.5 ft·lbf
180 J133 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

145 HB
135 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

78 HRB
75 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

150 HV
140 HV

Compressive Strength

—
285 MPa41.3 ksi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.12 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³
8.05 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,425°C2,597 °F
1,427°C2,601 °F

Same in both: Liquidus Temperature 1,450°C2,642 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

12.6 W/m·K7.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F
10.5 W/m·K6.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F
515 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

5.3 µm/m·K2.9 µin/in·°F
1.3 µm/m·K0.72 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

400°C752 °F
230°C446 °F

Min Service Temperature

-196°C-321 °F
-269°C-452 °F

Latent Heat of Fusion

—
270 J/g116 BTU/lb

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

2.5 % IACS
2.1 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

7×10⁻⁷ Ω·m27.6 µΩ·in
8.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m32.3 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.4 V · Corrosion Resistance 28 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

35 / 100
30 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

35%
30%

Weldability

70 / 100
75 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

80 / 100
75 / 100

Castability

—
45 / 100

Same in both: Formability (cold) 85 / 100 · Polishability 70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

70 MJ/kg30,095 BTU/lb
66 MJ/kg28,375 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

6.6 kg CO₂/kg
5.2 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

110 L/kg13.2 gal/lb
120 L/kg14.4 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

35%
30%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

63 kN·m/kg
61 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

17.9 MN·m/kg
17.5 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

280 kJ/m³
278 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

3.1 mm²/s
2.5 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

8
28

Strength versus weight

Yield strength against density for every steel grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.

2005001,0002,0007.588.5Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleK930504J42

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability4J42K93050
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Both take the same 9 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Manganese Phosphate, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating, Zinc Phosphate.

4J42 vs K93050 — frequently asked

What is the difference between 4J42 and K93050?

Steel 4J42 and K93050 are both steel grades. Both yield at about 285 MPa — strength does not separate them. K93050 is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 35% for 4J42, and 4J42 is harder (145 HB vs 135 HB).

Which is cheaper, 4J42 or K93050?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

Which is easier to machine, 4J42 or K93050?

4J42. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against poor (30/100) for K93050; for welding the order is K93050 first (very good, 75/100) then 4J42 (very good, 70/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 4J42 and K93050 side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.

Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.